Putin threatens to seize European ships wherever Russia ‘deems necessary’

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would respond in kind to the seizure of Russian vessels by European Union countries, speaking during a visit to Pacific Fleet exercises in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

“I want to draw attention to the European Union’s recent decisions. We see that the authorities of some countries, in violation of international maritime law, are trying to restrict the movement of our economic operators’ vessels, which are peaceful, I want to stress. And recently they came up with the idea of seizing our vessels and selling off the looted property,” Putin said.

Putin called the actions of European countries piracy and robbery, warning that if this “starts being implemented in practice, we will be forced to respond in kind.”

He stressed that Russia’s response would not necessarily come in the waters where its vessels are seized, “but wherever we ourselves deem it necessary and appropriate, anywhere, including within the area of responsibility of the Pacific Fleet.” Putin said he had given the corresponding order to the Defense Ministry.

Pacific Fleet commander Viktor Liina said the Russian military has all the forces and means it needs to inspect and detain vessels belonging to “unfriendly” countries and their “shadow fleet.” “We know the routes, what they’re carrying, and whose ships these are,” Liina said.

As part of its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, the European Union has allowed member states to sell Russian oil and petroleum products seized from tankers in Russia’s “shadow fleet.” The new EU rules also allow grain seized from vessels to be put up for sale.

Putin had already called the seizure of Russian vessels piracy in late July, when he urged the commanders of the Pacific and Northern fleets to “act carefully” within the framework of international maritime law, “but decisively, the way piracy and pirates need to be fought.”